Ben: A change in delivery

From the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette‘s Ed Bouchette this morning:A quicker release has been cited for Roethlisberger’s career-low five interceptions and his 32 sacks, which, while not necessarily low over 12 games, represents an improvement over his previous four seasons.

Roethlisberger took the month he could not appear at the Steelers’ facility to work with quarterbacks coach George Whitfield Jr., and he tinkered with his delivery.

“Holding the ball higher,” Roethlisberger said, “helps me what [Whitfield] calls ‘keeping it loaded’ rather than keeping it down low where I used to hold it and then you have to wind up … you get it out quicker.”

Whitfield, who runs a private quarterback-training firm in San Diego, suggested the change to Roethlisberger when they began working together in September. He had used the same motion since high school, and no one suggested he change, likely because he had been so successful.

“I had heard of it before but I never did it because I didn’t think it mattered,” Roethlisberger said. “I tried it because I had a bad elbow problem, and it solved that problem, too. I don’t know what it is, but my elbow doesn’t seem to hurt as much.”You can read more here.You can see photos of Ben’s workouts with Coach Whitfield here.Stat Line:
For the regular season, Ben was third in the league in yards-per-attempt and not only leads all active quarterbacks in that category, but is fourth all time.Quotes of the Day:
“There’s a lot of times when he’s outside the pocket that he’s far more dangerous than when he’s inside the pocket. And that’s not to say he’s not good when he’s in the pocket. But his ability to throw accurately on the run and on the fly and just create stuff is just uncanny.” — Ravens linebacker Jarret Johnson on Ben, from an article in the Baltimore Sun.
“Some quarterbacks will go down when they get people around them, but not him. The play’s never dead with him and that’s something you’ve got to watch out for. It’s tough to play against. You just got to get lots of helmets on him and get him down.” — Ravens nose tackle Kelly Gregg on Ben, from the same article.Also Today:
Ben was interviewed by WDVE. You can listen to the podcast here (thanks Trish!)Saturday Pre-Game:
Ben was interviewed today for a segment to be shown on CBS Sports’ The NFL Today show this Saturday prior to the game.

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

"This pic was taken last winter actually in Chattanooga, Tennessee. I am just a die hard Steelers fan, have been my whole life, never miss a game. And I am a huge Ben supporter, I'm one of those that take up for him when others get on him once in a while. So I had to make me a Big Ben snowman." -- Donny Davidson, December 13th, 2012.

Look: Big Ben’s Touchdowns for K9’s

Fans can support future K-9 grants by joining Ben’s crowdfunding campaign.. Ben is pledging $1,000 per throwing touchdown this season to his foundation. Supporters can increase the impact by pledging to donate any amount per touchdown!

Would you like BigBen7 to post a birthday wish for you or someone else? Just email me with the name, and the birth month and day!

NOTE: Birthday greeting requests must be sent before the birthday month starts and prior to the posting of the new list. Otherwise, they will be put on the calendar for the next year.

King Street Sports Bar

If you are visiting or vacationing in South Carolina....

Stop by King Street Grille with locations in Charleston, Kiawah Island, James Island, Mt. Pleasant and Myrtle Beach!

"Pittsburgh Steelers Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is part owner of the Charleston-based chain that is decked out in full Steelers theme. However, King Street Grille doesn't play favorites, it's a sports bar where all sports fans and fanatics are welcomed.

"If you're looking to catch up on sports highlights or catch a game, then this is the spot." -- Sun News Restaurant Review, July 29, 2010.